Update on Recent Events at Albany High School

March 28, 2017

AUSD Parents, Staff, Students & Community Members,

It is important that our AUSD students, parents, staff and community knows that we are moving as quickly, proactively, and thoughtfully as possible in response to the recent racism and hate that surfaced last week at Albany High School. We also want the Albany community to know that we are responding with systemic action and using this as a teachable moment for all AUSD students.

The first of several steps for Albany High School began today when Principal Jeff Anderson and his team met with Jeff Sloan, Executive Director of SEEDS (Services that Encourage Effective Dialogue and Solutions) and his team. SEEDS is a nonprofit community-based organization that has been providing mediation, facilitation, training and restorative justice to residents, organizations, and schools in the Bay Area since 1983. This morning, they collaborated on a plan which begins with a series of SEEDS facilitated restorative circles with all AHS juniors. In addition, a student-organized All School Assembly is planned for Wednesday, and AUSD faculty will receive support through a SEEDS facilitated faculty conversation.

District office staff are reviewing current Board Policies to ensure students are protected from bullying, harassment, and hate-speech, and we will continue to collaborate with parent-leaders to foster respect, empathy, and caring in our schools. As we continue our work together, we will provide frequent updates to the community.

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